Brief Description of Concentration
Linguists are engaged in the study of language structure, which is the ultimate interdisciplinary enterprise. Linguistic theory attempts to model a complex domain of human knowledge that is also central to philosophy of mind and to cognitive psychology. The linguistic models that theoretical linguists construct are formal in character and rely on computational and mathematical methodologies. As such, linguistics has a mutually beneficial relationship with computer science and the study of artificial intelligence.
Learning Objectives
In exploring these and similar topics, students of linguistics not only learn a great deal about a fascinating field; they also master a variety of conceptual and empirical techniques that stand them in good stead after graduation.
Gateway Courses
For a broad introduction of Linguistics:
- Ling 83: Language, Structure, and Cognition
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Ling 101: The Science of Language
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Any freshman seminar in Linguistics
Highly suggested for those interested in historical linguistics:
- Ling 107: Introduction to Indo-European
Alumni
https://linguistics.fas.harvard.edu/pages/alumni
